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Preventative screenings yield savings

One of the many provisions involved in the Affordable Care Act is the requirement for new health insurance plans to cover preventative services.

The government says three-quarters of the country's healthcare spending goes toward chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Both conditions can be prevented in certain cases if appropriate action is taken.

Research performed by the National Commission on Prevention Priorities estimated savings if 20 proven preventative measures were taken by 90 percent of the population. The researchers estimate $3.7 billion could have been saved in 2006.

National Commission on Prevention Priorities chair Eduardo Sanchez says while preventative-care services reduce costs, some save more money than others.

"People talk about the importance of prevention, and this study shows that a significant number of recommended clinical preventive services save lives and sometimes save money," said Sanchez. "The findings are based on a systematic analysis, and they show that different services have different value."

The researchers found services related to tobacco and daily aspirin use yield some of the biggest savings.